In my humble opinion, merely 'changing the lifestyle' doesn't at all improve the status quo. In fact, it only worsens the current social problems of Ah Longs, corruption, crime, inflation and unemployment.
Let's look at one of the most prevalent issues in Malaysian, that is, corruption within the Malaysian police force. How does it work? Well, I believe in the simple theory that 'it takes two to tango' (demand + supply = corruption)
WHO is the real cause of corruption? After much analysis, I daresay that it is not entirely the fault of the police, nor is it the typical Malaysian driver for condoning such an act. But before taking sides, it is crucial that one considers the fact that the road user earns an average salary of RM3000 or less (not enough to spend) who have to 'change their lifestyles' according to Najib; and that the average police officer earns a meager salary of RM1000+ per month (EVEN not enough to spend!)
No wonder it makes perfect sense that many drivers would rather pay a bribe than take the actual 'saman' (pay RM30 better than RM300); and comparatively, why most police officers would rather accept bribes than issue a 'saman' (take RM 30 better than RM0). Referring to the theory above, if demand (driver) and supply (officer) forces are present, the equation of corruption is therefore completed.
On one hand, it seems so easy for Najib and the other politicians/ministers to tell Malaysians to 'change their lifestyles', while on the other hand, they remain the status quo by living such luxurious and extravagant lifestyles with our (taxpayers') money! It is as though Najib is telling Malaysians to spend less, so he and other ministers (cronies) can spend more.
Have they taken into consideration many other variables such as inflationary increases over the years; rise in costs of living; rise in prices for petrol, tolls, water and electricity? Not only is the government NOT taking care or helping its own people in such times of difficulty, but they are telling us how we should spend OUR bloody, sweaty and hard earned money?
Have they not a clue that the problems aforementioned (Ah Longs, corruption, crime, inflation and unemployment) are interrelated, and that 'changing our lifestyles' only aggravates the situation? Ah Longs, like the case of corruption, exists because there is demand (I am poor) and supply (ah long lends me money); and when the debt is unrecoverable, it leads to crime (rape, murder and assault of family members) and other social ills (prostitution, drug trafficking, juveniles etc.)
For the case of unemployment and inflation, I would use a specific example. Imagine, if my income is limited, I would spend less on luxury items like alcohol. As a result, companies like Carlsberg and Heineken would experience a fall in total profit. In order for them to avoid losses, they have to cut down operational costs eg. reduction of employees. Subsequently, many people are now without jobs. Without a job and income, the unemployed becomes desperate. To sustain their own survival, they inevitably resort to committing crimes like theft and robbery, making themselves a criminal and causing negative implications on society's welfare.
If it is anyone who needs to change their lifestyle, first on the list should be the Malaysian government. It is time they bucked up and reconsidered its expenditure of taxpayers' money and the redrafting of salaries for civil servants (PDRM, JPJ etc.). The ridiculously inadequate salaries, in my opinion, is the main cause of corruption, inefficiency, and non-participation of Chinese and Indians in the public sector - which are factors detrimental to the government's image to the public. If immediate action is not taken, rest assured that Malaysians will continue to perceive the Malaysian government as undemocratic, morally depraved and ineffectual.
You do not need an economist or political scientist to explain and understand the above (because I am certainly not one!). All that is required is some common sense, but it seems that our government does not even possess a pinch of it. Do you agree?
Let's look at one of the most prevalent issues in Malaysian, that is, corruption within the Malaysian police force. How does it work? Well, I believe in the simple theory that 'it takes two to tango' (demand + supply = corruption)
WHO is the real cause of corruption? After much analysis, I daresay that it is not entirely the fault of the police, nor is it the typical Malaysian driver for condoning such an act. But before taking sides, it is crucial that one considers the fact that the road user earns an average salary of RM3000 or less (not enough to spend) who have to 'change their lifestyles' according to Najib; and that the average police officer earns a meager salary of RM1000+ per month (EVEN not enough to spend!)
No wonder it makes perfect sense that many drivers would rather pay a bribe than take the actual 'saman' (pay RM30 better than RM300); and comparatively, why most police officers would rather accept bribes than issue a 'saman' (take RM 30 better than RM0). Referring to the theory above, if demand (driver) and supply (officer) forces are present, the equation of corruption is therefore completed.
On one hand, it seems so easy for Najib and the other politicians/ministers to tell Malaysians to 'change their lifestyles', while on the other hand, they remain the status quo by living such luxurious and extravagant lifestyles with our (taxpayers') money! It is as though Najib is telling Malaysians to spend less, so he and other ministers (cronies) can spend more.
Have they taken into consideration many other variables such as inflationary increases over the years; rise in costs of living; rise in prices for petrol, tolls, water and electricity? Not only is the government NOT taking care or helping its own people in such times of difficulty, but they are telling us how we should spend OUR bloody, sweaty and hard earned money?
Have they not a clue that the problems aforementioned (Ah Longs, corruption, crime, inflation and unemployment) are interrelated, and that 'changing our lifestyles' only aggravates the situation? Ah Longs, like the case of corruption, exists because there is demand (I am poor) and supply (ah long lends me money); and when the debt is unrecoverable, it leads to crime (rape, murder and assault of family members) and other social ills (prostitution, drug trafficking, juveniles etc.)
For the case of unemployment and inflation, I would use a specific example. Imagine, if my income is limited, I would spend less on luxury items like alcohol. As a result, companies like Carlsberg and Heineken would experience a fall in total profit. In order for them to avoid losses, they have to cut down operational costs eg. reduction of employees. Subsequently, many people are now without jobs. Without a job and income, the unemployed becomes desperate. To sustain their own survival, they inevitably resort to committing crimes like theft and robbery, making themselves a criminal and causing negative implications on society's welfare.
If it is anyone who needs to change their lifestyle, first on the list should be the Malaysian government. It is time they bucked up and reconsidered its expenditure of taxpayers' money and the redrafting of salaries for civil servants (PDRM, JPJ etc.). The ridiculously inadequate salaries, in my opinion, is the main cause of corruption, inefficiency, and non-participation of Chinese and Indians in the public sector - which are factors detrimental to the government's image to the public. If immediate action is not taken, rest assured that Malaysians will continue to perceive the Malaysian government as undemocratic, morally depraved and ineffectual.
You do not need an economist or political scientist to explain and understand the above (because I am certainly not one!). All that is required is some common sense, but it seems that our government does not even possess a pinch of it. Do you agree?
